George Lepre wrote:Hello C. -
Here are the "points of contention" (see the article I cited above):
A. Kuklane attending Junderschule Bad Tölz: Not every SS officer's personnel file survived the war. But I have found that most if not all of the men who attended officer training courses at Bad Tölz, Braunschweig, Klagenfurt, etc. are included on various lists that are on file at the former Berlin Document Center (now BA in Berlin). Kuklane is not listed. Also, a book about Estonian SS-officers was published by the Estonian historian Leo Tammiksaar, but Kuklane is not listed. Promotion lists (SS-Veränderungsblätter) were published periodically and survived the war. Kuklane claimed that he rose to the rank of captain, but there is no mention of anyone named Kuklane being promoted to any officer rank.
A. Kuklane serving in the "Narwa Bataillon": The Narwa Bataillon was detached from the Estonian SS Legion in March 1943 (before Kuklane even joined the German military) and fought in Ukraine within the Wiking Division. When the survivors returned to the Estonian SS-Division in early 1944, they became the cadre of SS-Fusilier Btl. 20 and were NOT integrated into any of the Estonian Division's three infantry regiments (45, 46, 47). Harald Riipalu never commanded this unit.
A quote from the article: "Fearful of the occupier's revenge, Kuklane hid his Waffen SS documents and his Solbuch (sic), a soldier's identification book, on a farm in Neuhammer am Kweiss (sic) in Schleswig-Holstein."
Truppenübungsplatz Neuhammer am Queiss was in Silesia (today: Poland), not Schleswig-Holstein, which is in northern Germany. Moreover, Neuhammer had already fallen to the Russians in February 1945.
Best,
George
In this topic we can meet posts with discussion about feature story of August Kuklane, wrote in the media. And here some members (with skills of history) are disposed to doubt a many of facts adduced in this publication.
I was thinking about this discussion here and now I would like do say my point of view about Kuklane.
I am sure, Kuklane is not a liar, but old man told the story to the people who are uninformed about this period in history and they wrote story, how they understood this matter.
I do not have any special information about Kuklane. But reading this article I can say what can be truth and where are mistakes.
After graduation, as an Estonian patriot, August joined the Kaitseliit, the Estonian National Guard. In 1943, after the German army had pushed the Red Army out of Estonia, August, age 20, joined the Baltic Legion, a Waffen SS unit comprised of Estonians fighting with the German army.
At the time of the graduation (about 1940-41) national organization Kaitseliit was practically closed down by communists. For being a member of this organization, Kuklane had a very short time. But another question in this proposition is what Kuklane did after summer of 1941. Here I am sure, he joined the Omakaitse (Estonian self-defense organization under the German occupation) and serving in Omakaitse is exchanged to Kaitseliit. As we can see Kuklane did not hurry do join Estonian military units in the German army at the time of the early war. And also we know that service in the units of Omakaitse and all the more in the units of JuPo or SD was some kind of guaranty doing get around of direct front service in the German army. Somehow I am sure he as educated man used one of these combinations. He born in July 5, 1923 and joined the Legion in the age of 20 – second half of 1943. This was a time of the first mobilizations of Estonians to the German army. Battalion „Narwa” was already in Ukraine and worked as meat chopper of Estonian young men and got supplements from Legion. 3.SS Brigade was on his way to the front. As we can see, Kuklane went to Legion and right away to the officer school. Maybe this was a coincidental but maybe he came from his previous unit with letter of application and letter of introduction to the officer’s school. As I know, at one and the same time all Estonian rear units and institutions under the command of SD and JuPo got direct order do allot some percent of manpower to the Legion. Even more, they had new directive that everybody who serving in these units mast have some months combat experience on the frontline.
In this situation, for 20 year old man, who do not want do sacrify his life on the frontline, study in the military school is a best choice. This gave a 9 month extra time and later possibility do by on the frontline as officer.
In July of 1944, August took part in the Battle of the Narva Bridgehead holding back the invading Soviet forces on the Eastern Front.
Kuklane served with the 20th Panzer Grenadier Division of the 2nd Regiment of the famous Narva Battalion under Obersturmpanführer (Colonel) Riipalu fighting against the Red Army, who August noted, "were not sparing any lives."
At the Narva front, August commanded a Schweres Maschinen Gewehr (SMG) platoon of heavy machine guns.
On August 29, 1944, Lieutenant Kuklane was badly wounded in his right arm at Sinimägedes on the Narva Front. He received first treatment at a school in Rakvere and was then taken to Tallinn before being evacuated to Danzig and Berlin. Due to the severity of his wounds, he spent several months at a military hospital at Selov Markt, 70 miles east of Berlin.
If we counting 9 months in the school, then we can see, Kuklane start service in the 20. Est. Division early summer of 1944. That was quiet time on the Narwa front and at this time took part of reorganization of Bat „Narwa” to the 20. Füs. Bat. From the old strength very little was left and lots of new manpower was included. Kuklane very likely included.
Officially this unit had not „Narwa” in his name, but at the time of summer battles in Estonia, this unit was widely known as bat. Narva. Not only members of Battalion and Estonian civilians used this name. Name „Bat. Narwa” was used even by com. Of III Armored Corps Steiner.
In his memories Kuklane say, he served in the Riipalu`s regiment. It sounds wrong, but somehow he is right. It was on the Tannenberg line, when gen. Steiner was waiting Russian attack by Auvere. For repel this attack he gave under command of Riipalu also Füs.Bat.20 (Narva) and this joint unit called Riipalus regiment (45. reg +20.Füs.Bat) had order do defend this attack. Battle was 24.07.44. Very hard for defenders but they manage do stay. For this battle Riipalu got Knight cross. Now we can say, Kuklane took also part for earning this Knight Cross to Riipalu. For Kuklane that was first serious battle and characteristically he remembering this battle as serving in the Riipalus unit.
In the article we can find a date Kuklane was wounded Aug.29.44. Here I think is mistake. Most likely he was wounded 29.07.1944. At this time 2.Füs.Bat. was fighting by Sinimäe hills. At the beginning all bat. was in the reserve. Afternoon of 27.07.44 bat. was subordinated to the commander of „Denmark”s II Bat. Hastuf. Heinz Haemel. He got order do counterattack russians by the right side of Kinderheam Hill. From the bat. „Narva” to attack at 18.00 went 3. company. Attack had no success and lots of men were KIA also commander of 3. comp. Ustuf Valdur Visnapuu.
28.07.44 some units of Bat.Narva defending frontline between remains of „Denmark”s III bat and 9. comp. Of „Norge”. At the evening again unsuccessful counterattack to the Kinderheam Hill, remains of „Narva”s 3.com. taking a part.
29.07.08. Some units of Bat.”Narva” still in reserve. Paul Maitla collecting unit for counterattack to the Grenadier Hill and some units from Bat.”Narva” being also involved. Grenader Hill was taken back and Maitla got Knight Cross. This day was one of the hardest on the Sinimäe Hills and I am sure this was a day Kuklane got wounded.
Later in August 1944 Bat. Narva involved in the battles of centre area of Tannenberg Line. Russians were breaking trough the line of 225. Div and 170. Div. There bat. „Narva” involved in the counterattack and later defending the frontline on the spot. At the 29.08.1944 battles on this area are over and on the lines of bat.”Narva” is a quiet time.
Next question is what Kuklane did in Germany 1945.
After the hospital he was probably send to the Estn.20.Div. On the way to Neuhammer Jan.1945 he having possibility first time do visit Dresten. At this time (about 20 of Jan.) 45.; 46. and Art. reg being sent to the frontline by Oppeln. Kuklane as officer of 20.Füs.Bat coming to the Neuhammers camp, but at this time 20.Füs.Bat practically did not exist anymore (soldier are divided to reg. 45 and 46.). In the Neuhammer camp are still not finally reformed 47. reg. one bat. of Art. reg (without weapons) and very big at this time SS-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz Regiment 20. Most likely Kuklane as fresh man from hospital, not having own unit, was included to this regiment. As I guess Kuklane was happy about this advantage.
But russians are braking through and soon they are near the Neuhammer Camp. Commanding officer of Est. Troops in Neuhammer camp SS-Obersturmbannführer Emil Rehfeldt making quickly alarm regiment and sending this to the frontline. Commander of alarm regiment is Waffen-Sturmbannführer Johannes Koort, I bat. Waffen-Haupsturmführer Eduard Hints, II bat. Waffen-Haupsturmführer Ludvig Triik and III.bat. Kotte (german officer). Regiment saw the battle 7. Feb. 1944 Nort-Ost from Neuhammer. From leftover men – Genesungskompanie and 1.com. of SS-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz Regiment 20 and some others was made another alarm battalion commanded by german officer Schütte and Waffen-Haupsturmführer Vaino. This unit made the positions right by the borders of the camp.
These alarm units was very badly armed, not heavy weapons’ at all. Front had not a proper frontline at this moment and alarm regiment was divided to the small groups having no connection with each other. By the Russian attack at 9.- and 10. of Feb. alarm regiment were totally disconcerted and start uncontrolled retreat. Stubaf. Koort KIA in these battles. Men from alarm regiment were in very sad situation. During the days on the frontline they never got any supplies – ammunition, food … They felt that, they are no responsible do fight for Germany, if Germans can not guarantee for them even the food. All this was a Rehfelt´s fault. Groups of men from alarm regiment retreat through Qveis, Heiligensee, Roteburg and Neisse. Rehfelt collect men to the Neisse and Raussa and start a trail agents Estonian officers, blaming them in treating. Trail did not finish, russians game and save these officers at this time.
Not better manage an alarm battalion by Neuhammer camp. Part of the men (about 200 sick and not good for combat) were sending to Langenau near Ulm. Defenders were start do retreat to Frost. One German general, organizing defense of Frost lay claim to Estonians soldiers, do incorporate them to defending force of Frost. Battalion leaving to the Frost 1. comp. (200men) commanded by Untersturmführer Elmar Otsing. Mane part of alarm bat. (3 companies) continue retreat to the Spalmberg – Senfswensberg direction.
This is quit possible, that Kuklane found himselvs in Dresten 14.Feb.1944. And I am quit sure, he buried his documents somewhere close to Neuhammer, being encased with russian troops, without ammunition, knowing anything about real situation around and wishing only do get out from russians. Rehfelt blame others Estonian officers for doing same. Yes, he manages do to that and probably using his good German language get onto the some motor vehicle or train.
Later SS-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz Regiment 20 was in Denmark. And there was also Kuklane. In the article he says that, he was a DP near the Ukleisee in Schleswig-Holstein from May to September, 1945. This is not correct. In the Apr.1945 troops from SS-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz Regiment 20 in Denmark, did not want do go to the frontline. Using different reasons, like airbombing, broken railroad and some more reasons, they manage do spend time and finally do surrender to the British troops. British authorities saved the military formation of SS-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz Regiment 20 locate them to the Uklei. Lots of Estonian soldiers rambling in the Germany at the time of end of the war joined this unit, some even voluntarily. Everybody was sure, soon they will be released. But happened unbelievable. All men from this unit were sent to POW camp for SS soldiers in Belgium, Zedelgham.
And now the question – was August Kuklane really officer. I do not know, but if do speculate, then I do not believe he was Untersturmfürer in the summer 1944. Usually from the Bad Tölz they come out as Junker. But I believe he got his promotion and EKII for the battles on the Tannenberg Line already in the Germany. Or in the hospital or even later in the SS-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz Regiment 20
Why he is not noted in the memories or documents? Because he did not had a long route in the combat unit. As we see, he has only 5 days combat experience. 20.Füs.Bat. was full of new members and time for familiarization was short.